Your safety comes first. Exit the vehicle immediately and move to solid ice or shore. Don’t try to retrieve personal items—just get out and get safe. Once you’re secure, call us right away at 218-368-8553. We’re available 24/7 and can often be on-site within hours. The sooner we start the recovery, the better the outcome.
Yes, it must be reported. If we’re your first call, we’ll remind you to contact the local sheriff’s department as soon as possible. This is required by law and also important for safety—authorities need to know whether or not emergency support is needed, especially if someone else reports the incident.
Disclaimer: No ice is 100% safe. Ice conditions can vary dramatically across the same lake, and we’ve recovered vehicles even where there was over 30 inches of ice due to weak spots and pressure ridges.
Here are the general guidelines for clear, solid ice:
Important: These are guidelines for clear, solid ice only. Snow-covered ice, slushy ice, and ice with cracks can be dangerous even at these thicknesses. Ice thickness can vary dramatically due to currents, springs, and pressure ridges. Always check conditions before venturing out, and when in doubt, don’t go out.
Watch for these warning signs:
If you see any of these signs, turn around. It’s not worth the risk. Ice conditions can change hour by hour, especially during temperature swings.
This is a common debate. If we had to make a suggestion, we’d recommend opening them fully. If you go down in 4-5 feet of water, there may be no way to open your door due to the ice sheet preventing it from opening. We always recommend having a window breaker in the vehicle if you’re driving on ice—it could save your life.
Minnesota law requires that vehicles and equipment that go through the ice be removed within 30 days (or sometimes sooner depending on local ordinances). We strongly recommend calling us immediately to start the recovery process.
In most cases, yes—but it depends on what went through and what type of coverage you have.
Vehicles: If your vehicle is covered by comprehensive insurance, recovery costs are typically included.
Ice Houses (Permanent Shacks/Hardhouses): These are NOT covered under your vehicle insurance policy as a “trailer.” Ice houses should carry their own separate policy, or they will not be covered.
Truck + Ice House: If both go through, each has a separate recovery cost and different insurance policies apply. You’ll need to file separate claims.
We never guarantee coverage—every policy is different, so check with your provider. The good news: we work directly with all major insurance companies. You call them to make a claim, give us the claim number, and we take it from there. We’ll provide all the documentation they need.
If it’s safe to do so, gather the following before we arrive:
Don’t worry if you can’t get all of this—your safety is most important. We’ll also provide you with a detailed recovery report, photos from our operation, and an itemized invoice that your insurance company will need. We’ve done this hundreds of times and work directly with your insurance provider once you give us the claim number.
Absolutely. We’ve recovered ice houses and equipment of all sizes. These recoveries require specialized rigging and lifting equipment, which we have on hand. The sooner the better, especially if it’s only partially through and not yet on the bottom of the lake.
Even if your vehicle has been underwater for an extended period or sunk down 20+ feet over water, we can recover it. We use advanced underwater electronics to locate submerged vehicles, then deploy specialized lifting equipment to bring them up safely. Our 100% success rate includes vehicles that were underwater for days or even weeks. The sooner you call us, the better.
It depends on how deep and how long it was submerged. If the engine went underwater, it will almost certainly be totaled. You might have luck replacing endless parts to get it running again, but we don’t recommend it—the cost and reliability issues usually aren’t worth it.
If only part of the vehicle went through and not the engine, you might have better odds but we make no guarantees.
In most cases, we haul your vehicle or ice shack to our impound/shop just south of Bemidji. There you can stop by to retrieve any belongings that were inside when it went down.
If covered by insurance: We deal with them directly on the next steps and haul the vehicle where they need it to go—no work for you there.
If not covered by insurance: It’s up to you. You can collect it and do as you please, or work with us for further direction.
Recovery costs depend on several factors: what went through, how deep it is, ice and weather conditions, and the urgency of the situation. Costs typically start anywhere from $5,000–$10,000 and can go up from there.
If it’s a truck + ice house, each item has a separate recovery charge and is processed through separate insurance policies. We’ll provide you with an estimate before we begin any recovery work, and we work directly with your insurance company to streamline the process.
Absolutely. Boats that sink at dock or slip are actually some of the more straightforward recoveries we handle. We’ll assess the situation, deploy the right lifting equipment, and get your boat safely out of the water. The sooner you call, the less damage from prolonged submersion.
It depends on how long it was submerged and whether the engine was running when it went down. Boats recovered quickly (within hours or a day) often have a better chance, but there’s still likely to be significant damage to the engine, electronics, and interior. We make no guarantees—but we’ll get it out so you can assess the damage and work with your insurance company.
You bet! We’ve seen it all from farming equipment to vehicles that have rolled into a waterbody. Just give us a call!
Yes. We’ve recovered pontoons of all sizes, fishing boats, ski boats, and even larger commercial watercraft. Our equipment is designed to handle substantial weight and awkward lifting scenarios. No recovery is too large or too complex.
Typically, yes—if you have comprehensive coverage on your watercraft. Most boat insurance policies cover recovery and salvage costs. We work directly with all major insurance providers. Call your insurance company to file a claim, give us the claim number, and we’ll handle the rest.
Yes. We specialize in technical off-road recoveries where standard towing can’t reach. Using heavy-duty winching systems, specialized rigging, and careful planning, we extract UTVs, ATVs, and vehicles from mud, swamps, and otherwise inaccessible terrain.
It depends on your policy. Many comprehensive auto or equipment insurance policies cover recovery costs, but off-road incidents sometimes fall into a gray area. We recommend calling your insurance provider to confirm. Either way, we’ll provide detailed documentation and work with your insurer if coverage applies.
If you’re working with insurance, we typically bill the insurance company directly once you provide us with the claim number—no upfront payment required from you. If you’re paying out of pocket, we’ll discuss payment terms before beginning the recovery. We accept cash, check, and all major credit cards.
We accept cash, checks, and all major credit cards. For insurance claims, we bill the insurance company directly after you provide the claim number.
Yes. If your insurance denies the claim or you don’t have coverage, you’re responsible for the full recovery cost. We’ll work with you on payment arrangements if needed, but the recovery service must be paid for. As collateral, we will generally hold your recovered vehicle/equipment until payment is processed. We always recommend checking with your insurance provider before assuming coverage.
Yes. While we’re based in Bemidji, MN, we provide recovery services throughout Minnesota, within a 250-mile radius of Bemidji, and into parts of North Dakota and Wisconsin. If you’re unsure whether we can reach you, give us a call at 218-368-8553 and we’ll let you know.
Standard tow companies aren’t equipped for ice, water, or technical off-road recoveries. We use specialized cranes, underwater electronics, advanced rigging systems, and nearly 20 years of experience handling the most extreme recovery situations. Our 100% success rate since 2006 speaks for itself—we’ll recover it.
